Rajan Zed, president of the Universal Society of Hinduism based in the State of Nevada, USA.

Hindus are upset over “inappropriate” portrayal of Hindu goddess Kali in a mural at Brooklyn Museum, New York, NY.

This 60-foot mixed-media goddess Kali wall mural is part of recently opened “Eyes of Time” exhibition at Brooklyn Museum which is scheduled till July 12. It shows Kali with three legs, three breasts and six arms. Its face is a clock with no actual time.

Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada, said that goddess Kali was highly revered in Hinduism and was meant to worshipped in temples or home shrines and not to be thrown around loosely in reimagined versions for dramatic effects on museum walls. Such absurd depiction of goddess Kali with no scriptural backing was hurtful to the devotees.

Such trivialization of goddess Kali was disturbing to the devotees world over, Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, stated and urged Brooklyn Museum to withdraw it. Zed also asked Museum’s Director Arnold L. Lehman to tender a formal public apology.

Rajan Zed stressed that Hindus were for free speech as much as anybody else if not more. But faith was something sacred and attempts at belittling it hurt the devotees. Museums should be more sensitive while handling faith related subjects, Zed added.

Hindus welcomed museums and artists to immerse in Hinduism but taking it seriously and respectfully and not just for indecorous showing of Hindu symbols and concepts to advance their selfish agenda. Casual flirting sometimes resulted in pillaging serious spiritual doctrines and revered symbols and hurting the devotees, Zed pointed out.

Rajan Zed noted that Hinduism was the oldest and third largest religion of the world with about one billion adherents and a rich philosophical thought and it should not be taken frivolously. No faith, larger or smaller, should be ridiculed at; Zed said and added that if museums needed any assistance about Hinduism, he or other Hindu scholars would be glad to help.

Goddess Kali, who personifies Shakti or divine energy and considered the goddess of time and change, is widely worshipped in Hinduism. There are about three million Hindus in USA.

Museum seems to have three Kali paintings in its permanent collection, which includes “Siddha Lakhsmi with Kali” painting from 1600s. This exhibition is organized by Assistant Curator Saisha M. Grayson.

The Brooklyn Museum is one of the oldest and largest art museums in USA, whose roots extend back to 1823. Its permanent collection includes “ancient Egyptian masterpieces, African art, European painting, decorative arts, period rooms, and contemporary art”. Elizabeth A. Sackler is Museum’s Board of Trustees Chair while New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio serves on its Executive Committee as Ex-Officio.

SOURCE: Rajan Zed, president of the Universal Society of Hinduism based in Nevada, USA.

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Chabad of Yonkers’ Menorah Workshop at Home Depot – Sunday, December 7th, from 2 pm to 4 p.m.

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Happy Kwanzaa Yonkers.

YONKERS, NY —  December 2, 2014 — Yonkers Riverfront Library will host a special event sponsored by the Yonkers African American Heritage Committee, along with the Yonkers Family YMCA, the Riverfront Children’s Department and Sister to Sister International. All community members, families and children are invited for a fun afternoon of Kwanzaa Celebration, featuring spoken word performances, workshops, African Drumming, Kiswahili language & explanation of the Kwanzaa symbols on Saturday, December 27, from 1-4 pm in the 2^nd floor Community Room. This special program will feature Bokandeye African American Drum & Dance Theater.

Admission is free, and light refreshments will be served.

Riverfront Library, located at One Larkin Center, is handicapped accessible. Parking is available at the nearby Buena Vista Parking Garage or the Warburton Parking Garage. Limited metered street parking is also available

For information, contact Oyanike @ YAAHC (914)751-8023 or the Riverfront Library Children’s Department (914-337-1500 x427).

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YONKERS, NY — December 2, 2014 — The Saint Pio Foundation has announced that a biographical film on the life of Saint Padre Pio is in the works. The film will be produced by American Actor Joe Mantegna and his long time producing Partner Danny Ramm through their company Acquaviva Productions, for theatrical release. Shot in English, filmed on location in Italy (including San Giovanni Rotondo, where Padre Pio lived), and distributed worldwide, the film will highlight Padre Pio’s impact on the Catholic Church and the building of his hospital, Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza in San Giovanni Rotondo, Puglia, Italy. A percentage of the proceeds from the film will benefit the Saint Pio Foundation and help further its work to establish medical facilities in the United States of America, in the charism of Saint (Padre) Pio, in order to offer medical care to those poor in need.
If you wish to receive more information about the movie, or learn how you can support its development, contact the Saint Pio Foundation at (636) 220-6550, on the Internet: www.saintpiofoundation.org, or direct inquiry to info@saintpiofoundation.org

Watch Joe Mantegna’s video presentation of the biographic movie about the life of Saint Padre Pio

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Over 180 Women Will Join to Bake Challah and Promote Jewish Unity

WHITE PLAINS, NY – October 26, 2014 — In what promises to be a night of formed friendships, fostered unity and whetted appetites, Chabad of Westchester County proudly presents the Mega Challah Bake. The event, to be held Thursday, November 6^th, at the White Plains Women’s Club, brings together Jewish women from across Westchester County to share in the experience of baking the staple Jewish bread and celebrating Jewish unity and leadership.

“The event underscores the unity of all Jewish women, of all backgrounds and affiliations, and presents an opportunity for Jewish women from across Westchester to join together to share in this beautiful activity,” said Chanie Hurwitz, co-director of Chabad of Yonkers.

Women joining are guaranteed a spiritual experience of creating, from scratch, delicious loaves of challah. The program will include a hands-on workshop, teaching participants the secret to great tasting challah and the important leadership role women have in Judaism. Indeed, the baking of challah for Shabbat is a time-honored tradition unique to women, which participants may learn and share with family and friends.

A few moments of introspection will be included to pray together for health, happiness, prosperity and any other blessings needed, with the hope that the power in numbers will inspire the answer to our prayers.

In the true spirit of unity, all participants will create two loaves of Challah – one to keep and one to give to a friend.

Chabad has long been at the front lines of Jewish feminism. Indeed, in the early 1950s the Lubavitcher Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneerson said, “The Jewish woman has a unique mission – the very future of the Jewish people depends on her success.”

Couvert is $20 and $25 after October 30^th. Reservations may be made and more information may be found on WestchesterMegaChallah.com. All women, regardless of Jewish affiliation or background, are encouraged to participate in this inspiring and appetizing event.

Hosts: Chabad of Yonkers, Chabad of Bedford, Chabad of Larchmont-Mamoroneck, Chabad of the Rivertowns, Chabad of Briarcliff-Ossining, Chabad of Pelhalm, Chabad of Westchester, Chabad of Armonk, Chabad of Yorktown

Westchester Mega Challah Bake

Thursday, November 6 – 7:30 pm

White Plains Women’s Club

305 Ridgeway, White Plains, NY 10605

Couvert: $20 before October 30^th | $25 after October 30^th

WestchesterMegaChallah.com

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Diwali is one of the biggest festival of those who cling to the Hindu, Jain and Sikh faiths. It is celebrated with great enthusiasm and happiness in India. The festival is celebrated for five continuous days, where the third day is celebrated as the main Diwali festival or ‘Festival of lights’.

Different colorful varieties of fireworks are always associated with this festival. On this auspicious day, people light up diyas and candles all around their house. They perform Laxmi Puja in the evening and seek divine blessings of the Goddess of Wealth. The festival of Diwali is never complete without the exchange of gifts. People present Diwali gifts to all who are near and dear.

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WCHJ-Westchester Community for Humanistic Judaism

WHITE PLAINS, NY — October 3, 2014 — The Westchester Community for Humanistic Judaism invites the community to a celebration of Sukkot on Saturday, October 11^th at 2:30 PM at the Community Unitarian Church, 468 Rosedale Avenue, White Plains, NY 10605.

Rabbi Frank Tamburello will lead an interactive service including decorating the Sukkot shelter, story telling, songs, and hospitality.

Part of the High Holidays, Sukkot marks both the successful result of the previous agricultural year and a clean start of the new one. As with other agricultural holidays, Sukkot has both a historical and metaphorical significance for contemporary Jews.

There is no charge for admission though donations are always welcome.

For more information visit www.wchj.org or contact aristophil@yahoo,com .

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St. Thomas Episcopal Church is located at 168 W Boston Post Road, at the corner of West Boston Post Road and Mount Pleasant Avenue, Mamaroneck, NY 10543.

St. Thomas Episcopal Church – Mamaroneck, NY.

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